By Elishya Perera
WASHINGTON, DC (CU)_US President Donald Trump, in his farewell address, touted the accomplishments of his administration, but failed to acknowledge his successor’s legitimate election win.
The outgoing US President released a nearly 20-minute video message on his last full day at the White House, in which he said, “We did what we came to do – and so much more.”
“I took on the tough battles, the hardest fights, the most difficult choices because that’s what you elected me to do. Your needs were my first and last unyielding focus. This, I hope, will be our greatest legacy: together, we put the American people back in charge of our country.”
In his message, he also claimed that his administration built “the greatest economy in the history of the world”. While the US stock markets have rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, the rest of the economy has been facing more of a struggle, with more job losses and a drop in retail sales recorded in December.
However, regardless of his accomplishments, the last two weeks of the outgoing President’s term have been dominated by the deadly riot carried out by his supporters who engulfed the US Capitol in chaos, seeking to overturn the election result.
Although President Trump on that day praised the demonstrators’ actions saying, “We love you. You are very special”, however, in his recent farewell speech, he noted that “Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans”. “It can never be tolerated,” he said.
Nevertheless, President Trump has been impeached for “incitement of insurrection” over the attack, making him the first president in US history to be impeached twice. He was previously charged relating to dealings with Ukraine, although he was cleared on these charges by the majority from his own Republican Party. President Trump will only face trial over the recent riots after he leaves office, and if convicted, he could be barred from standing for public office.
Moreover, Trump has still not fully accepted his defeat at last November’s election to Democrat Joe Biden, who will be sworn in as President on Wednesday (Jan 20).
Although President Trump went on to offer his best wishes to the new administration, however, he could not bring himself to utter Biden’s name.
“This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous,” he said. “We extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck…”
Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden returned to Washington on Tuesday, from his home state of Delaware, where he served as a senator for 36 years. “When I die, Delaware will be written on my heart,” he said in an emotional farewell speech.
His inauguration will be held at the Capitol on Wednesday at 12:00 (17:00 GMT). However, in stark contrast to previous Presidential Inaugurations in the US, this year, only a limited number of people will be allowed on to the National Mall to witness his swearing in, while Washington will be under heavy security, with thousands of soldiers from the National Guard deployed.
In the meantime, President Trump is expected to skip his successor’s inauguration, as he is set to fly to Florida on Wednesday morning.
